A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he was raised by his aunt, Gertrude Franklin. He developed a talent for music early, playing the piano at age four and becoming music director of his church at age eleven. After getting kicked out of school in his teenaged years, having a girlfriend become pregnant, and after a friend was shot to death he returned to the church. After leading the DFW Mass Choir at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, he organized "The Family", a seventeen-voice choir, in 1992 and began his recording career.
He has integrated hip hop styles with gospel themes in albums such as The Nu Nation Project and God's Property, which achieved success on the Billboard Pop Album, R&B and gospel charts.
Franklin has collaborated with the biggest names in gospel music, including Tonex, Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Crystal Lewis, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jaci Valesquez, and Willie Neal Johnson. He also has displayed a willingness to collaborate with artists in the secular realm, including Bono, Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, and R Kelly in the hit single, "Lean on Me."
On October 4, 2005, his new long-awaited album Hero was released, with latest single Looking for You.
Franklin's songs are published by Zomba Music Publishing, a division of BMG Music Publishing.
Down By The Riverside
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE GOING THROUGH
I WANT YOU TO WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM YOU EYE
CAUSE JESUS SAID HE'LL MEET US SOMEDAY
DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
CAN I GET A WITNESS UP IN HERE
CHOIR:
MY 3 MONTH OLD BABY NEED SOME SHOES
CAN'T YOU FEEL WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH
CLOCK ON THE WALL KEEPS TICKING TOCKING
NO STOPPING AND SOMEBODY'S KNOCKING
ON MY DOOR TELLING ME TO GO
BROTHER I CAN'T TAKE NO MORE
SO WIT MY KNEES I HIT THE FLOOR
AND SAY HELP ME JESUS, HELP ME JESUS
CHORUS:
LET'S GO DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
LEAVE YOUR PROBLEMS ALL BEHIND
YOU CAN REST TOUBLED MINDS
DOWN BY....
THE RIVERSIDE
KIRK FRANKLIN:
I DON'T THINK YOU HEARD ME THE FIRST
SO THEN WHY DON'T I SAY IT ONE MORE TIME
EVERYBODY JESUS IS GOING TO MEET US DOWN THERE
BY THE RIVERSISE
ONE TIME FOR THE HOLY MIND
CHOIR:
IF I CONSENTRATE ON ALL THE BAD
AND ALL THE THINGS I WISH I HAD
HOW CAN THOSE DARK CLOUDS EVER PASS
WEEPING, ENDURING FOR LIFE
BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING LIGHT
GOTTA KEEP THE SPIRIT RIGHT
SO NO MATTER WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
AIN'T NOBODY TAKING THIS JOY AWAY
INSPITE OF EVERYTHING I BEEN THROUGH
I CAN SAY...
THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU JESUS
CHORUS(2X):
LET'S GO DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
LEAVE YOUR PROBLEMS ALL BEHIND
YOU CAN REST TOUBLED MINDS
DOWN BY....
KIRK FRANKLIN:
In Kirk Franklin's song Down by the Riverside, he addresses those who are going through tough times, urging them to wipe their tears and have hope because Jesus will meet them someday by the riverside. The choir then shares their struggles with bills, the pressure of parenthood and the constant ticking of the clock that reminds them of their responsibilities. They hit a breaking point when someone comes knocking and telling them to go, and they cannot take it anymore. So they hit the floor and cry out to Jesus for help. But in the chorus, they are encouraged to leave their problems behind and find peace down at the riverside. The second time the chorus is repeated, it becomes a triumphant declaration of gratitude for all that Jesus has done.
The song reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we can find hope and peace if we turn to Jesus. The imagery of the riverside, a place traditionally associated with baptism and spiritual renewal, reinforces this message. The lyrics suggest that instead of focusing on the negative, we should focus on the light that comes after the dark clouds. The song's soulful melody and the choir's heartfelt performance add to the emotional impact of the message, making it a powerful anthem of faith and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE GOING THROUGH
To everyone who is currently struggling
I WANT YOU TO WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM YOUR EYE
I urge you to find peace and hope amidst your pain
CAUSE JESUS SAID HE'LL MEET US SOMEDAY DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
Be comforted by the fact that Jesus promises to meet us in a place of rest and comfort
CAN I GET A WITNESS UP IN HERE
Is anyone else feeling and believing what I'm saying?
IT'S FRIDAY AND MY BILLS ARE DUE
I'm facing financial struggles and responsibilities
MY 3 MONTH OLD BABY NEED SOME SHOES
I have needs and responsibilities that extend to my family
CAN'T YOU FEEL WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH
Can anyone else empathize with my situation and emotions?
CLOCK ON THE WALL KEEPS TICKING TOCKING
Time keeps moving even when it feels like everything is standing still in my problems
NO STOPPING AND SOMEBODY'S KNOCKING ON MY DOOR
The demands and distractions of life keep coming even when I feel overwhelmed
TELLING ME TO GO, BROTHER I CAN'T TAKE NO MORE
I feel like I'm at my breaking point and can't handle any more stress or pressure
SO WIT MY KNEES I HIT THE FLOOR
I turn to my faith and pray earnestly for help
AND SAY HELP ME JESUS, HELP ME JESUS
I cry out to Jesus for assistance and guidance
IT'S FRIDAY AND MY BILLS ARE DUE
Again, I am repeating my financial struggles and responsibilities
I DON'T THINK YOU HEARD ME THE FIRST
I want to reiterate my message and emphasize its importance
SO THEN WHY DON'T I SAY IT ONE MORE TIME
I will repeat myself once more to ensure my message is clear
EVERYBODY JESUS IS GOING TO MEET US DOWN THERE BY THE RIVERSIDE
I want to assure you again that Jesus promises us a place of rest and comfort
ONE TIME FOR THE HOLY MIND
Let's give thanks and praise to God for His mercy and grace
IF I CONSENTRATE ON ALL THE BAD
If I focus solely on my problems and struggles
AND ALL THE THINGS I WISH I HAD
And dwell on the things I lack or desire
HOW CAN THOSE DARK CLOUDS EVER PASS
I will never be free from my turmoil if I keep dwelling on it constantly
WEEPING, ENDURING FOR LIFE
I will continue to suffer for as long as I choose to focus on negativity
BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING LIGHT
I can have hope for a brighter future and a time of happiness
GOTTA KEEP THE SPIRIT RIGHT
To achieve this positive outlook, I need to maintain a strong and faithful spirit
SO NO MATTER WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
Others may criticize or doubt me, but I will not lose hope or faith
AIN'T NOBODY TAKIN' THIS JOY AWAY
I will hold onto my happiness and faith despite all obstacles or naysayers
INSPITE OF EVERYTHING I BEEN THROUGH, I CAN SAY THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU JESUS
Through all the trials and tribulations, I am thankful and grateful for God's grace and blessings
LET'S GO DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
Let's focus on the promised place of rest and comfort that awaits us
LEAVE YOUR PROBLEMS ALL BEHIND
Let go of your stresses and worries for this moment of peace
YOU CAN REST TROUBLED MINDS DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
Rest your weary and troubled mind in this place of comfort and peace
DOWN BY... THE RIVERSIDE
The promised land of peace where we can find rest and comfort
CHORUS (2X):
This is the part where we all sing along
Contributed by Alex B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aimee Beltrán
It's Friday and my bills are due
My 3 month old baby need some shoes
Can you feel what I'm going through
Clock on the wall keeps tickin' tockin'
No stoppin' and somebody's knocking
On the do tellin' me to go
Brother I can't take no mo
So with my knees I hit the flo'
And say help me Jesus, help me Jesus
Let's go down by the riverside
Leave your problems all behind
You can rest troubled minds
Down by the riverside
If I concentrate on all the bad
And all the things I wish I had
How can the dark clouds ever pass
Weeping may endure for a night
But joy comes in the morning light
Gotta keep the spirit right
So no matter what the people say
Ain't nobody taking this joy away
In spite of everything I've been through I can say
Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus
Let's go down by the riverside
Leave your problems all behind
You can rest troubled minds
Down by the
Janet Dominguez
Kirk franklin:
For those of you that are going through
I want you to wipe every tear from you eye
Cause jesus said he'll meet us someday
Down by the riverside
Can i get a witness up in here
Choir:
It's friday and my bills are due
My 3 month old baby need some shoes
Can't you feel what i'm going through
Clock on the wall keeps ticking tocking
No stopping and somebody's knocking
On my door telling me to go
Brother i can't take no more
So wit my knees i hit the floor
And say help me jesus, help me jesus
Let's go down by the riverside
Leave your problems all behind
You can rest toubled minds
Down by...
The riverside
Kirk franklin:
I don't think you heard me the first
So then why don't i say it one more time
Everybody jesus is going to meet us down there
By the riversise
One time for the holy mind
Choir:
If i consentrate on all the bad
And all the things i wish i had
How can those dark clouds ever pass
Weeping, enduring for life
But joy comes in the morning light
Gotta keep the spirit right
So no matter what the people say
Ain't nobody taking this joy away
Inspite of everything i been through
I can say...
Thank you jesus, thank you jesus, thank you jesus
Let's go down by the riverside
Leave your problems all behind
You can rest toubled minds
Down by...
l_brown
If I concentrate on all the bad
And all the things I wish I had
How can the dark clouds ever pass
Weeping may endure for a night
But joy comes in the morning light
Gotta keep the spirit right
So no matter what the people say
Ain't nobody taking this joy away
In spite of everything I've been through I can say
Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus
740MIS
It's Friday and my bills are due
My three month old baby need some shoes
Can you feel what I'm going through?
Clock on the wall keeps ticking-tockin
No stoppin and somebody's knockin
On the door tellin me to go
Brotha, I can't take no mo
So with my knees I hit the floor
And say help me Jesus, help me Jesus
Let's go down by the riverside
Leave your problems all behind
You can rest your troubled mind
Down by the riverside
If I concentrate on all the bad
And all the things I wish I had
How can the dark clouds ever pass?
Weeping may endure for a night
But joy comes in the morning light
Gotta keep your spirit right
So no matter what the people say
Ain't nobody takin this joy away
In spite of everything l I've been through I can say
Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus
Let's go down by the riverside
Leave your problems all behind
You can rest your troubled mind
Down by the riverside
There's a blessing in the water ya'll
By the riverside, say what now
There's a healin in the water ya'll
By the riverside, say what now
Love RuthLess
It's Friday and my bills are due
My 3 month old baby need some shoes
Can't you feel what I'm going through
Clock on the wall keeps ticking tockin
No stoppin and somebody's knockin
On the door tellin me to go
Brotha I can't take no mo
So with my knees I hit the floor
And say help me Jesus, help me Jesus
Let's go down by the riverside
Leave your problems all behind
You can rest troubled mind
Down by the riverside
If I concentrate on all the bad
And all the things I wish I had
How can the dark clouds ever pass
Weeping may endure for a night
But joy comes in the morning light
God he keeps me right
So no matter what the people say
Ain't nobody takin this joy away
In spite of all I've been through I can say
Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus
Let's go down by the riverside
Leave your problems all behind
You can rest troubled mind
Down by the riverside
(4 x)
Well, Well, Well
There's a blessing in the water ya'll
By the riverside, Say what now
There's a healin in the water
By the riverside, Say what now (x8)
Nakisha Sandy
This man truly revolutionized worship for christian youths. He made worshipping cool. I remember blasting this in my room during my college years🎶🔥🙌🔥🎶
Tyronn Fields
Nxt fall my oldest daughter will attending an HBCU....and hope she understands there is a blessing in the water by riverside by staying focus and get the degree...Amen!
Tiffany Gray
And pretending to be in choir. Singing in a brush
Stephanie McNeill
Back when my parents didn't let my brothers and I listen to rap music, this was the jam. Loved all of Kirk Franklins songs.
Debbie Cakes
Saaaaaaame!!!!
T B
Like ALL Them RGT!!!! 💯
Rodrette Hughey
I thought I was the only person who had Kirk Franklin as they first hip hop experience 💌✝️🎯😁
Tam Kendrick
Stomp wasn't a joke either!! Kirk Franklin been making music that we could jam out to. Him and John P. Kee
Tam Kendrick
Still the jam in 2021. This gets you up in your Soul and Spirit. Have you telling the devil to sit down somewhere. Because you think about the trials you've gone through and the Tribulations you had on the other side. And even your faith hit a mustard seed. You're faith pulled you right on through.
Ms Oakee
I still love song in 2020!! I used to wear this CD out back in 1998/1999. Hard to believe that's it been over 20 years. Kirk is a musical genius. He has created so many blessed gospel gems.